Although car crashes typically occur on the road, they can also happen in parking lots. In fact, parking lots are particularly dangerous places to drive because they are often crowded, and drivers must watch out for vehicles backing out of parking spaces as well as pedestrians walking to and from their vehicles.
If you have been hurt in a parking lot accident in Bear, you need the assistance of a skilled auto collision attorney. Our team can help build a solid case against the negligent driver who left you injured and also guide you through the legal process of pursuing compensation through a civil lawsuit. Call Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz, & Bhaya today.
Insurance Issues When Filing a Lawsuit
In Delaware, a driver must have certain auto insurance coverage to drive a vehicle. These include liability insurance and personal injury protection (PIP). Liability insurance protects other people who may be involved in a car crash with the insurance policy holder. PIP insurance protects the insurance policy holder and their own passengers following a crash.
Insurance companies will try to pay out as little as possible. An experienced lawyer understands the way insurance companies work and can help negotiate the settlement after a parking lot crash in Bear. When a suitable settlement cannot be negotiated, our team can help file a civil lawsuit claim and present the case in court, building a case against the reckless or negligent driver who caused the crash.
Comparative Fault in Parking Garage Wrecks
During a parking lot collision trial, the defendant may claim that the injured motorist was partly at fault for the crash. Sometimes, this is true. Multiple parties may have broken traffic laws or acted negligently, and each contributed to the collision. In cases like these, the comparative fault law comes into play.
Under Delaware Code Title 10, § 8132, if an injured person shares responsibility for their own injuries and damages, their final award will be subject to a proportional reduction. Fortunately, this means a person who was partially to blame for the crash can still recover some of their losses, so long as they are not more than 50% at fault. However, if the majority of the fault for the crash falls on the injured person, they will not be allowed to recover compensation.
A lawyer in Bear can help determine who was at fault in the parking lot crash and how much fault each party had in the incident.
What Counts as Damages in a Parking Lot Accident Claim?
Being injured in a car crash in a parking lot or parking garage in Bear can impact a person’s life in many ways. The injury will likely result in expensive medical bills, including the initial hospital visit, surgeries, follow-up treatments, and prescriptions. If the injured person had to stop working for a while during recovery, there would also be lost wages. In severe cases, the injured person may not be able to perform the same job anymore, which may equate to a diminished earning capacity. There is also the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged vehicle.
In addition to economic damages, there may also be non-economic damages. These could include pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. Economic and non-economic damages are factored into the total amount of compensation in a civil lawsuit.
Call Us to Discuss Your Parking Lot Collision in Bear
The legal team at Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz, & Bhaya can evaluate your situation and determine your legal options for pursuing recovery. Being injured in parking lot accidents in Bear can be life-changing, but we may be able to hold the negligent party liable for the damages caused.
Schedule a consultation with our team, and start getting your life back on track.